Apr.8, 2010, 12:08 AM

A 37-year-old Burnaby woman now has the notorious status of being the first person convicted in B.C. of trying to leave Canada with unreported proceeds of crime.

Oksana Yang was arrested last May 27 after attempting to travel to Hong Kong via Vancouver airport with about $13,000 in undeclared currency.

The Canada Border Services Agency found the cash and Yang could not explain where it came from. The file was forwarded to the RCMP and Yang was eventually charged under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.

She was convicted March 23 and had to forfeit the money.

"Successful prosecutions under this act will assist in the disruption of the flow of illicit monies across our international borders. It will also serve as a deterrent when people are aware that criminal charges can and will be pursued by the RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime unit," Sgt. Dave Gray said.

There have been other successful convictions for suspected proceeds of crime being brought into Canada.

Last December, Jonathan Smith was sentenced to six months in jail and a $10,000 fine after trying to bring in $165,000 US. There were other convictions for inbound currencies in 2007 and 2006, when the legislation was introduced.

The CBSA's Pacific Region has made 3,229 currency seizures, with a total value of $52,867,901.74, over the past three years.